Eye Infirmary proposals unacceptable says Euro-MP

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th May 2004

West Midlands Liberal Democrat Euro Candidates Liz Lynne MEP and Cllr Paul Tilsley were today campaigning to keep the Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary open.

They joined staff and patients in a protest outside the Infirmary on Wednesday 19th May. Liz arrived at the hospital on the Liberal Democrat Battlebus and was met by Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett Wolverhampton City Liberal Democrat Councillor. He has been representing staff in key negotiations and has received scores of letters from patients urging him to keep up his campaign.

They met with Mr Hackett - Hospital Chief Executive and Three directors of the Trust Board to discuss the proposals.

Liz Lynne MEP said:

"The eye infirmary is regarded as one of the best in the country and it would be ridiculous to close the hospital especially with the lack of facilities at the proposed site at New Cross. The new site for the infirmary is in an area where there is a lack of adequate parking especially now the car park scheme has collapsed.

"The eye hospital has always been in the black and met its targets. All of the money that needs to be recouped has been lost at New Cross hospital.

"If it does have to be moved then it should be kept together so that the service and the staff, who are highly trained, move into a purpose built unit at New Cross Hospital linked to proper parking facilities. The current proposals are unacceptable and must be changed.

"I am visiting the infirmary to add my support to campaigners and to persuade the Trust to change their mind. The Wolverhampton Trust plans to cut their budget by £5.6m are doomed to failure and they must go back to the Strategic Health Authority and either ask for more time or more money."

ENDS

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Press Officer Stuart Ritchie on 01789 266354 or 07833668158